HH The XIV Dalai Lama

Dear Aunt Joan,
Michael and I are still in India, although it does not feel like India, as we are still in Mcleod Ganj, the home of the Dali Lama and many of the Tibetans in Exile from their homeland!!!

We have had a lovely time here and have seen His Holiness The Dali Lama several times and he is really a kind, caring, and compassionate man-many of the world leaders should take lessons from him!

Last weekend we attended his 50th year celebration of his being in charge of the Tibetans in Exile in India-the celebration was wonderful-he really is an amazing man...
Many people had been waiting for him at the temple since 5am, (we got there about 7:30am) and he was not due to come out till 9am, but came out early at 8:15am...
He also had the monks come around to all the people and give out chai tea (milk and sugar, tea-just yummy) and bread, fruit, biscuits to eat...
Now tell me...
When was the last time you saw a political/religious leader feed his people, and make sure that they were comfortable!!!???

In the mornings we have been taking Dharma classes on Buddhism-which has been fascinating, and in the evenings helping the Tibetan Refugees learn English from 5-7pm...
Our days have just been filled with some amazing experiences, an we have met some lovely friends from Tibet, and the Western world!!! We have also heard some of the horrible things that had happened to the Tibetans before coming to India...
Tomorrow we head out on the train (missing the Dali Lama's celebration of winning his Noble Peace Prize 10 years ago)...
To Amristar, the home of the Sikh Golden Temple-which is supposed to be absolutely beautiful, then on to Rajasthan, then on to see the Taj Mahal!

We still don't know where we will spend Christmas or New Years, but hope to find a Christian place to see how they celebrate it here in India.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas, and New Years!
Love and Peace,
SaraGrace and Michael